Man and Animals

Let the reins of imagination at large, the civilized man of today would be found hunting animals centuries ago in the past. Scarcity of food compelled him for the enmity of animals. This was the primitive relationship of man with animals. As time moved forward, man learnt agriculture and freed himself from the fear of starvation. He became friendly with animals. He did his best to tame animal for his benefits. Cows, buffaloes, donkeys, sheep and goats were chosen as pets in the beginning. Now the standard of his food raised and he was in no more need of meat for food. He got milk from cows and buffaloes. Donkey was used for carrying loads, hens laid eggs, dog watched and protected animals and home and the life was contented.   

Man is selfish by nature. When he was busy getting hold of the resources of earth, he tried to overpower the animals but he partially succeeded. He got frightened of the animals he was not able to overcome. Then he associated the bravery to lion, cleverness to the tiger, and cunningness to the fox. He made fun of his pets, cow was jeered at for her simplicity and buffalo was considered as a duffer animal. The societies where agriculture could not take roots or remained impossible, man used animals for food. For example in the desert of Arabia and the forests of Africa, animals were killed or slaughtered for food.

Indian people remained the friendliest to animals even from the known history of man. This cub-continent never faced scarcity of food in history, so they never were in need of eating meat. It was lush green country with plenty of food and vegetables. Wild life was in abundance in its forests. When tourists from Europe came and tried hunting animals, the natives offer them money and gifts to keep them away from hunting. Their superstitious nature also helped them to befriend them. Cows were sacred to them and they were considered gods. Even snakes and trees were their gods. How could they think troubling animals?

The animals protection movement started far after in Europe. Their interest in animal keeping developed gradually and they became very fond of keeping pets. They transformed their love of animals into science and industry. They set-up livestock and dairy developments. They made animal keeping a profitable business.     

In the sub-content, oxen were used for ploughing and preparing soil for cultivation. For months, animals were kept in the fields to enhance the fertility of land. They were the companion of man in long and short travels on rugged and rough roads. The bells hanging in their necks produced melodious music in the evenings when they left for homes from the fields. Women recognizing the sound of bells received animals and their husbands in the courtyards without boundaries. They also helped men in threshing the wheat, getting grains from oil-oriented crops. Milk, butter, curd, and other related items were in abundance in our villages. Selling of milk was considered a sin in the villages.

The ancient Arabian society was much familiar with camels and goats. It was their valuable asset. The camels were used for loading purposes as well as for travelling. When the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) migrated from Makkah, the non-believers declared one hundred red camels as the head money for the prophet (PBU). Horses and camels were also used in the tribal wars. Horses were used for fast traveling in plain areas. These remained a very necessary part of wars in past. Tatary used to eat horses when they found no food; they also drank the blood of horses with zeal. The only mean of fast mobilization of armed forces was the horse. The defeated forces left their animals including horses, camels and goats that were considered a great wealth for the conquerors. 

Elephants were also used in many wars in sub-content and Iran. Their attack was considered a certain defeat of the opponents. In some battles, the elephants were so frightened that they crushed their own masters and killed a large number of their own forces. Still in many countries of the world, they are worshiped like gods. They are applied fragrant oils and are kept in air conditioner rooms, which are not sometimes available even for their worshipers.

In Europe, the animals received more love and care. When it was proved by the researches that animals too have feelings like human beings, they respond their love and hatred equally. Keeping pets like dog was and still is a popular tendency in these countries. They take much care of their pets. Veterinary hospitals are established and specialist doctors are available to give better treatments to the animals .They are the best companions of solitude. The old people spend most of their time in the company of their pets. They arrange for their eating and living. Often they keep their pets as their bed partners.

The ever-increasing economic pressure has made the modern man very busy. He does not have time for animals especially in the cities. The metropolitan cities’ administration has banned the animals in the city premises. Yet they have separate colonies for animals outside the cities. Conditions in the villages are far better until today. Man can never put far away his best companions so; he has set-up zoos in the big cities. However, we can’t help the selfishness of man that he has been making money by putting tickets for visiting zoo.